Regional oximetry pod

ABSTRACT

A regional oximetry pod drives optical emitters on regional oximetry sensors and receives the corresponding detector signals in response. The sensor pod has a dual sensor connector configured to physically attach and electrically connect one or two regional oximetry sensors. The pod housing has a first housing end and a second housing end. The dual sensor connector is disposed proximate the first housing end. The housing at least partially encloses the dual sensor connector. A monitor connector is disposed proximate a second housing end. An analog board is disposed within the pod housing and is in communications with the dual sensor connector. A digital board is disposed within the pod housing in communications with the monitor connector.

PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thepresent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/039,456, filed Sep. 30, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/801,257, filed Nov. 1, 2017, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/507,639, filed Oct. 6,2014, titled Regional Oximetry Pod, which claims priority benefit under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/012,170, filed Jun. 13, 2014, titled Peel-Off Resistant RegionalOximetry Sensor; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/887,878filed Oct. 7, 2013, titled Regional Oximetry Pod; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/887,856 filed Oct. 7, 2013, titledRegional Oximetry Sensor; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/887,883 filed Oct. 7, 2013, titled Regional Oximetry UserInterface; all of the above-referenced provisional patent applicationsare hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Pulse oximetry is a widely accepted noninvasive procedure for measuringthe oxygen saturation level of arterial blood, an indicator of aperson's oxygen supply. A typical pulse oximetry system utilizes anoptical sensor attached to a fingertip to measure the relative volume ofoxygenated hemoglobin in pulsatile arterial blood flowing within thefingertip. Oxygen saturation (SpO₂), pulse rate and a plethysmographwaveform, which is a visualization of pulsatile blood flow over time,are displayed on a monitor accordingly.

Conventional pulse oximetry assumes that arterial blood is the onlypulsatile blood flow in the measurement site. During patient motion,venous blood also moves, which causes errors in conventional pulseoximetry. Advanced pulse oximetry processes the venous blood signal soas to report true arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate underconditions of patient movement. Advanced pulse oximetry also functionsunder conditions of low perfusion (small signal amplitude), intenseambient light (artificial or sunlight) and electrosurgical instrumentinterference, which are scenarios where conventional pulse oximetrytends to fail.

Advanced pulse oximetry is described in at least U.S. Pat. Nos.6,770,028; 6,658,276; 6,157,850; 6,002,952; 5,769,785 and 5,758,644,which are assigned to Masimo Corporation (“Masimo”) of Irvine,California and are incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.Corresponding low noise optical sensors are disclosed in at least U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,985,764; 6,813,511; 6,792,300; 6,256,523; 6,088,607;5,782,757 and 5,638,818, which are also assigned to Masimo and are alsoincorporated in their entireties by reference herein. Advanced pulseoximetry systems including Masimo SET® low noise optical sensors andread through motion pulse oximetry monitors for measuring SpO₂, pulserate (PR) and perfusion index (PI) are available from Masimo. Opticalsensors include any of Masimo LNOP®, LNCS®, SofTouch™ and Blue™ adhesiveor reusable sensors. Pulse oximetry monitors include any of MasimoRad-8®, Rad-5®, Rad®-5v or SatShare® monitors.

Advanced blood parameter measurement systems are described in at leastU.S. Pat. No. 7,647,083, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple WavelengthSensor Equalization; U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,733, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titledConfigurable Physiological Measurement System; U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2006/0211925, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Physiological ParameterConfidence Measure and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0238358, filed Mar. 1,2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, all assignedto Cercacor Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, CA (Cercacor) and allincorporated in their entireties by reference herein. Advanced bloodparameter measurement systems include Masimo Rainbow® SET, whichprovides measurements in addition to SpO₂, such as total hemoglobin(SpHb™), oxygen content (SpOC™), methemoglobin (SpMet®),carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®) and PVI®. Advanced blood parameter sensorsinclude Masimo Rainbow® adhesive, ReSposable™ and reusable sensors.Advanced blood parameter monitors include Masimo Radical-7™, Rad-87™ andRad-57™ monitors, all available from Masimo. Such advanced pulseoximeters, low noise sensors and advanced blood parameter systems havegained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications,including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, generalwards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types ofmonitoring scenarios.

SUMMARY

Regional oximetry, also referred to as tissue oximetry and cerebraloximetry, enables the continuous assessment of tissue oxygenationbeneath a regional oximetry optical sensor. Regional oximetry helpsclinicians detect regional hypoxemia that pulse oximetry alone can miss.In addition, the pulse oximetry capability in regional oximetry sensorscan automate a differential analysis of regional to central oxygensaturation. Regional oximetry monitoring is as simple as applyingregional oximetry sensors to any of various body sites including theforehead, forearms, chest, upper thigh, upper calf or calf, to name afew. Up to four sensors are connected to a conventional patient monitorvia one or two regional oximetry pods. The pods advantageously drive thesensor optics, receive the detected optical signals, perform signalprocessing on the detected signals to derive regional oximetryparameters and communicate those parameters to a conventional patientmonitor through, for example, standard USB ports.

One aspect of a regional oximetry pod drives the optical emitters of oneor two regional oximetry sensors and receives the corresponding detectorsignals in response. The sensor pod has a dual sensor connectorconfigured to physically attach and electrically connect one or tworegional oximetry sensors. The pod housing has a first housing end and asecond housing end. The dual sensor connector is disposed proximate thefirst housing end. The housing at least partially encloses the dualsensor connector. A monitor connector disposed proximate a secondhousing end. An analog board is disposed within the pod housing incommunications with the dual sensor connector, and a digital board isdisposed within the pod housing in communications with the monitorconnector.

In various embodiments, the dual sensor connector has a pair of podcables partially disposed within the pod housing. A first end of the podcables is electrically connected to and mechanically attached to theanalog board. A second end of the pod cables extends from the podhousing and terminates at a pair of sensor connectors. The sensorconnectors are configured to physically attach and electrically connectup to two regional oximetry sensors. The dual sensor has a socket blockat least partially disposed within the pod housing, and the socket blockhas socket contacts configured to electrically connect to a pair ofregional oximetry sensors. The socket contacts are in electricalcommunications with the analog board. The monitor connector has a podcable extending from the digital board and terminates at a monitorconnector. The analog board has an analog board connector disposed onthe analog board surface. The digital board has a digital boardconnector disposed on the digital board surface, and the analog boardconnector is physically and electrically connected to the digital boardconnector.

In further embodiments, the analog board mounts emitter drivers thatactivate the regional oximetry sensor emitters, the analog board hasdetector amplifiers that receive sensor signals from the regionaloximetry detectors, and the analog board digitizes the sensor signals.The digital board has a digital signal processor (DSP) that inputs thedigitized sensor signals. The DSP derives regional oximetry parametersfrom the sensor signals, and the regional oximetry parameters arecommunicated to a patient monitor via the pod cable and the monitorconnector.

Another aspect of a regional oximetry pod is defining a pod having afirst pod end and a second pod end, disposing a signal processor withinthe pod, extending a sensor connector from the first pod end andextending a monitor connector from the second pod end. Sensor signalsare received from the first pod end. Signal processing on the sensorsignals calculates a regional oximetry parameter, and the parameter istransmitted to the monitor connector for display on a standard patientmonitor.

In various embodiments, disposing a signal processor within the podcomprises stacking an analog board to a digital board, extending asensor cable from the analog board to the sensor connector and extendinga monitor cable from the digital board to the monitor connector. Thisalso comprises mounting and electrically connecting a DSP to the digitalboard and calculating the regional oximetry parameter within the DSP.This also comprises driving sensor emitters and receiving detectorsignals on the analog board, wherein extending a monitor connectorincludes attaching a monitor cable first end to the signal processor andattaching the monitor connector to a monitor cable second end. Extendinga sensor connector comprises extending sensor connector cables from thefirst pod end, and attaching the sensor connector to the sensorconnector cable distal the pod. Extending a sensor connector comprisesattaching a socket block partially within the pod at the first pod end.

An additional aspect of a regional oximetry pod is a driver means fortransmitting a drive signal to a plurality of emitters, and an amplifiermeans for receiving a response signal from at least one detector inoptical communications with the emitters. A dual connector means is forcommunicating the drive signal and the response signal to the drivemeans and the amplifier means. A housing means is for enclosing thedriver means and the amplifier means and for at least partiallyenclosing the dual connector means. An analysis means is for derivingphysiological parameters from the response signal, and a monitoringmeans is for communicating the physiological parameters to a display.The driver means and the amplifier means comprise an analog board meansdisposed within the housing means.

For various embodiments, the analysis means comprises a digital boardmeans disposed within the housing means. Board connectors interconnectthe analog board means and the digital board means. A frame means is formechanically stabilizing the analog board means connected to the digitalboard means. The dual connector means has connector cables extendingfrom the housing means between the analog board means and a plurality ofsensor connectors. The dual connector means has a socket block partiallydisposed within the housing means and is configured to receive dualsensor plugs. A monitoring means comprises a pod cable extending fromthe digital board means and the housing means and terminating at a USBconnector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a pod-based regional oximeter thatinterconnects with regional oximetry sensors so as to derive regionaloximetry parameters and communicate those parameters to a patientmonitor;

FIGS. 2A-B are perspective views of an internal-connector regionaloximetry pod and an external-connector regional oximetry pod,respectively;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a regional oximetry sensor attachedto a tissue site, illustrating corresponding near-field and far-fieldemitter-to-detector optical paths;

FIG. 4 is a general block diagram of a regional oximetry pod housing aregional oximetry analog board, digital board and signal processor;

FIG. 5 is a general block diagram of regional oximetry signalprocessing;

FIGS. 6A-D are top perspective, bottom perspective, sensor connector andmonitor connector views, respectively, of an internal-connector regionaloximetry pod;

FIGS. 7A-D are top perspective, bottom perspective, detailed sensorconnector and detailed monitor connector views, respectively, of anexternal-connector regional oximetry pod;

FIG. 8 is a detailed block diagram of the emitter drive for dual,regional oximetry sensors;

FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram of the detector interface for dualregional oximetry sensors;

FIG. 10 is a regional oximetry monitor display that provides user I/Oshowing placement of up to four sensors on a patient; and

FIG. 11 is a regional oximetry parameter display for up to four regionaloximetry sensors;

FIGS. 12A-E are various exploded views of an internal-connector regionaloximetry pod;

FIGS. 13A-D are side, back, back perspective and exploded views,respectively, of a dual sensor connector for an internal-connector pod;

FIGS. 14A-C are front, front perspective and folded front perspectiveviews, respectively, of an internal-connector flex-circuit assembly foran internal-connector pod; and

FIGS. 15A-C are various exploded views of an external-connector regionaloximetry pod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a pod-based regional oximeter 100 includingpod assemblies 101, 102 each communicating with an array of regionaloximetry sensors 110 via sensor cables 120. The sensors 110 are attachedto various patient 1 locations. One or two regional oximetry pods 130and a corresponding number of pod cables 140 advantageously providecommunications between the sensors 110 and a patient monitor 170.Regional oximetry (rSO₂) signal processors 150 housed in each of thepods 130 perform the algorithmic processing normally associated withpatient monitors and/or corresponding monitor plug-ins so as to derivevarious regional oximetry parameters. The pods 130 communicate theseparameters to the patient monitor 170 for display and analysis bymedical staff. Further, in an embodiment, each pod 130 utilizes USBcommunication protocols and connectors 142 to easily integrate with athird party monitor 170. A monitor 170 may range from a relatively“dumb” display device to a relatively “intelligent” multi-parameterpatient monitor so as to display physiological parameters indicative ofhealth and wellness.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate an internal-connector regional oximetry pod 201(FIG. 2A) and an external-connector regional oximetry pod 202 (FIG. 2B).As shown in FIG. 2A, in the internal-connector embodiment 201, podsockets (not visible) are recessed into the pod housing 210. RSO₂sensors 60 have sensor cables 62 extending between the sensors 60 andsensor plugs 64. The sensor plugs 64 insert into the pod sockets so ascommunicate sensor signals between the sensors 60 and pod analog anddigital boards (not visible) within the pod housing 210. Pod boardsderive regional oximetry parameters, which are communicated to a monitor170 (FIG. 1 ) via a monitor cable 220 and a corresponding USB connector230. Pod boards are described with respect to FIG. 4 , below. Sensoroptics and corresponding sensor signals are described with respect toFIG. 3 , below.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the external-connector embodiment 202, podcables 260 extend from the pod housing 250, providing external podsockets 270. Sensor plugs 64 insert into the external pod sockets 270 soas communicate sensor signals between the sensors 60 and the analog anddigital boards within the pod housing 250. As generally described aboveand in further detail below, pod boards 410, 420 (FIG. 4 ) deriveregional oximetry parameters from the sensor signals, and the parametersare communicated to a monitor 170 (FIG. 1 ) via the monitor cable 220and corresponding USB connector 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates a regional oximetry sensor 300 attached to a tissuesite 10 so as to generate near-field 360 and far-field 370emitter-to-detector optical paths through the tissue site 10. Theresulting detector signals are processed so as to calculate and displayoxygen saturation (SpO₂), delta oxygen saturation (ΔSpO₂) and regionaloxygen saturation (rSO₂), as shown in FIG. 11 , below. The regionaloximetry sensor 300 has a flex circuit layer 310, a tape layer 320, anemitter 330, a near-field detector 340 and a far-field detector 350. Theemitter 330 and detectors 340, 350 are mechanically and electricallyconnected to the flex circuit 310. The tape layer 320 is disposed overand adheres to the flex circuit 310. Further, the tape layer 320attaches the sensor 300 to the skin 10 surface.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the emitter 330 has a substrate 332 mechanicallyand electrically connected to the flex circuit 310 and a lens 334 thatextends from the tape layer 320. Similarly, each detector 340, 350 has asubstrate 342, 352 and each has a lens 344, 354 that extends from thetape layer. In this manner, the lenses 334, 344, 354 press against theskin 10, advantageously maximizing the optical transmission andreception of the emitter 330 and detectors 340, 350.

FIG. 4 generally illustrates a regional oximetry pod 401 that houses aregional oximetry analog board 410 and a regional oximetry digital board420. A regional oximetry signal processor 430 executes on a digitalsignal processor (DSP) residing on the digital board 420. The regionaloximetry signal processor 430 is described with respect to FIG. 5 ,below. The regional oximetry analog board 410 and digital board 420 aredescribed in detail with respect to FIGS. 8-9 , below.

As shown in FIG. 4 , on the patient side 402, the regional oximetryanalog board 410 communicates with one or more regional oximetry (rSO₂)sensors 440, 450 via one or more sensor cables 445, 455. On thecaregiver side 403, a pod cable 425 has a USB connector 427 so as toprovide a standard interface between the digital board 420 and a monitor170 (FIG. 1 ).

Also shown in FIG. 4 , the analog board 410 and the digital board 420enable the pod 401 itself to perform the sensor communications andsignal processing functions of a conventional patient monitor. Thisadvantageously allows pod-derived regional oximetry parameters to bedisplayed on a variety of monitors ranging from simple display devicesto complex multiple parameter patient monitoring systems via the simpleUSB interface 427.

FIG. 5 generally illustrates a regional oximetry signal processor 500having a front-end signal processor 540, a back-end signal processor 550and diagnostics 530. The front end 540 controls LED modulation, detectordemodulation and data decimation. The back-end 550 computes sensorparameters from the decimated data. The diagnostics 530 analyze datacorresponding to various diagnostic voltages within or external to thedigital board so as to verify system integrity.

FIGS. 6-7 generally illustrate regional oximetry pod 600, 700embodiments, each having a pod end 601, 701; a monitor end 602, 702 andan interconnecting pod cable 603, 703. The pod end 601, 701 has dualsensor connectors 610, 710. The monitor end 602, 702 has a monitorconnector 620, 720. In a particular embodiment, the monitor connector620, 720 is a USB connector.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-D, in an internal sensor connector embodiment 600,the sensor connectors 610 are integrated within the pod housing 1200.Advantageously, this configuration provides a relatively compactsensor/monitor interconnection having sensor connectors 610, a monitorconnector 620 and an interconnecting pod cable 603. The pod 1200internals, including the housed portion of the sensor connectors 610,are described in detail with respect to FIGS. 12-14 , below.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-D, in an external sensor connector embodiment 700,sensor connector cables 705 extend from the pod housing 1500.Advantageously, by removing the dual sensor connectors from within thepod housing 1500, the pod internal complexity is reduced, which reducesmanufacturing costs and increases pod reliability. The pod 1500internals are described in detail with respect to FIG. 15 , below.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a regional oximetry signal processor embodiment800, 900 having a digital board 803 (FIG. 8 ) and an analog board 903(FIGS. 8-9 ) in communications with up to two regional oximetry sensors801, 802 (FIG. 8 ); 901, 902 (FIG. 9 ). The digital board 803 (FIG. 8 )has a DSP 850 in communications with an external monitor via a USB cable882 and corresponding UART communications 884. The DSP 850 is also incommunications with the sensors 801-802, 901-902 via DACs 830 and ADCs910 on the analog board 903.

As shown in FIG. 8-9 , sensor emitters 801, 802 are driven from theanalog board 903 under the control of the digital board DSP 850 via ashift register 870. Each regional sensor 801-802, 901-902 has a shallowdetector and a deep detector. Further, each sensor 801-802, 901-902 mayhave a reference detector and an emitter temperature sensor. In acerebral regional oximetry embodiment, the sensor(s) may have a bodytemperature sensor 930 and corresponding analog board ADC 910 interface.

FIG. 10 illustrates a user I/O display 1000 for indicating the placementof up to four sensors on a patient. An adult form 1001 is generated onthe display. Between one and four sensor sites can be designated on theadult form 1001, including left and right forehead 1010, forearm 1020,chest 1030, upper leg 1040, upper calf 1050 and right calf 1060 sites.Accordingly, between one and four sensors 110 (FIG. 1 ) can be locatedon these sites. A monitor in communication with these sensors thendisplays between one and four corresponding regional oximetry graphs andreadouts, as described with respect to FIG. 11 , below.

FIG. 11 illustrates a regional oximetry parameter display 1100embodiment for accommodating up to four regional oximetry sensor inputs.In this particular example, a first two sensor display 1101 is enabledfor monitoring a forehead left site 1110 and a forehead right site 1120.A second two sensor display 1102 is enabled for monitoring a chest leftsite 1150 and a chest right site 1160.

FIGS. 12A-E further illustrate a regional oximetry pod 1200 embodiment.As shown in FIG. 12A, the pod 1200 has a top shell 1201, a bottom shell1202, a pod assembly 1203 enclosed between the shells 1201, 1202 and acable 1241 extending from the pod assembly 1203 through a bend relief(not shown). As shown in FIG. 12B, an analog board 1230 and a digitalboard 1240 are seated within a frame 1210.

As shown in FIGS. 12C-E, an analog board 1230 is plugged into a dualsensor connector assembly 1300. In particular, an analog board plug 1232is inserted into a flex circuit assembly socket 1430. With thisarrangement, sensor connectors 64 (FIG. 2A) have electrical continuitywith the analog board 1230 and the (USB) cable 220 has electricalcontinuity with the digital board 1240, as described above with respectto FIG. 4 .

FIGS. 13A-D illustrate a dual sensor connector assembly 1300 thatprovides communications between the analog board 1230 (FIGS. 12A-E) andthe dual sensor connectors 610. The dual sensor connector assembly 1300has a socket block 1310, a contact assembly 1320 and a flex-circuitassembly 1400. The socket block 1310 retains the contact assembly 1320so as to form the dual sensor connectors 610. The flex-circuit assembly1400 provides a socket connector 1430 that mechanically receives analogboard plug 1232 (FIG. 12D) and electrically connects the analog boardsensor inputs to the sensor connectors 610. In this manner, the analogboard 1230 (FIGS. 12A-E) receives sensor signals for signal processing,such as filtering and analog-to-digital conversion.

FIGS. 14A-C illustrate a connector flex-circuit assembly 1400 havingflex circuit contacts 1410, a flex cable 1420 and a flex circuit socket1430. The contacts 1410 receive the sensor connector pins 1320 (FIG.13D), which are soldered in place. When installing the flex-circuitassembly 1400 within a pod 1200 (FIGS. 12A-E) the flex cable 1420 foldsinto a U-shape (FIG. 14C) so as to expose the flex circuit socket 1430(FIG. 12D) to the analog board plug 1232 (FIG. 12D), which is theninserted into the socket 1430 (FIG. 12D).

FIGS. 15A-C illustrate an external-connector regional oximetry podhousing 1500 having an upper pod shell 1501 and a lower pod shell 1502that enclose a board assembly 1503. The board assembly 1503 has a boardframe 1510, a signal processing assembly 1520 and a wrap 1550. The boardframe 1510 and wrap 1550 mechanically stabilize the signal processingassembly 1520.

As shown in FIGS. 15A-C, the signal processing assembly 1520 has ananalog board 1530 and a digital board 1540 as described with respect toFIG. 4 , above. The analog board 1530 and a digital board 1540mechanically and electrically interconnect at board connectors 1531,1541. A sensor cable 705 (FIGS. 7A-B) threads through an outer sensorcable boot 1507 and an inner sensor cable boot 1508 so as tomechanically and electrically interconnect with an analog board sensorcable connector 1533 (FIG. 15C).

A regional oximetry pod has been disclosed in detail in connection withvarious embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examplesonly and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow. One ofordinary skill in art will appreciate many variations and modifications.

1. (canceled)
 2. A regional oximetry sensor comprising: at least onepair of sensors, wherein each senor of the at least one pair of sensorscomprises: at least one emitter, configured to emit light into the skinof a user; at least one detector in optical communication with theemitter, the at least one detector configured to receive light reflectedfrom the skin of the user, wherein the at least one detector comprises:a near-field detector, wherein the near-field detector is in electricalcommunication with a flex circuit, and wherein the near-field detectoris in optical communication with the at least one emitter; and afar-field detector, wherein the far-field detector is in electricalcommunication with the flex circuit, and wherein the far-field detectoris in optical communication with the emitter; a flex circuit, whereinthe flex circuit is electrically connected to the at least one emitterand the at least one detector, the flex circuit configured to transmitone or more signals to determine an oxygen saturation of the user; and atape layer, wherein the tape layer is disposed over and adheres to theflex circuit, and wherein the tape layer attaches at least one sensor tothe skin of the user; wherein a first sensor of the at least one pair ofsensors is located on a right side of the user's forehead and wherein asecond sensor of the at least one pair of sensors is located on a leftside of the user's forehead.
 3. The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2,wherein the at least one pair of sensors further comprises: a sensorconnector configured to physically attach and electrically connect tothe flex circuit.
 4. The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, whereinthe at least one emitter further comprises: a lens, wherein the lens ismechanically connected to the at least one emitter, and wherein the lensextends from the tape layer such that the lens presses against the skinof the user to maximize an optical transmission of the at least oneemitter.
 5. The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, wherein the atleast one emitter further comprises: an emitter temperature sensorconfigured to determine a temperature of the at least one emitter whilethe at least one emitter is transmitting light into the skin of theuser.
 6. The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, wherein the at leastone detector further comprises: a detector temperature sensor configuredto determine a temperature of the at least one detector while the atleast one detector is receiving light reflected from the skin of theuser.
 7. The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, wherein the at leastone detector further comprises: a lens, wherein the lens is mechanicallyconnected to the at least one detector, and wherein the lens extendsfrom the tape layer such that the lens presses against the skin of theuser to maximize an optical reception of the at least one detector. 8.The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, wherein each sensor furthercomprises: a first lens, wherein the first lens is mechanicallyconnected to the near-field detector, and wherein the first lens extendsfrom the tape layer such that the first lens presses against the skin ofthe user to maximize an optical reception of the near-field detector; asecond lens, wherein the second lens is mechanically connected to thefar-field detector, and wherein the first lens extends from the tapelayer such that the second lens presses against the skin of the user tomaximize the optical reception of the far-field detector; and a thirdlens, wherein the third lens is mechanically connected to the at leastone emitter, and wherein the third lens extends from the tape layer suchthat the third lens presses against the skin of the user to maximize anoptical transmission of the at least one emitter.
 9. The regionaloximetry sensor of claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of sensors areconfigured to transmit a regional oximetry parameter of the user. 10.The regional oximetry sensor of claim 9, wherein the transmittedregional oximetry parameter comprises at least one of an oxygensaturation, delta oxygen saturation, or regional oxygen saturation. 11.The regional oximetry sensor of claim 2, comprising at least two pairsof sensors, and wherein a first pair of sensors of the at least twopairs of sensors are located on a right side of the user's forehead andwherein a second pair of sensors of the at least two pairs of sensorsare located on a left side of the user's forehead.
 12. A method ofattaching at least one pair of sensors to the forehead of a user, themethod comprising: positioning a first sensor of the at least one pairof sensors to a right side of the user's forehead; and positioning asecond sensor of the at least one pair of sensors to a left side of theuser's forehead; wherein the first sensor and second sensor comprise: atleast one emitter, configured to emit light into the skin of a user; atleast one detector in optical communication with the emitter, the atleast one detector configured to receive light reflected from the skinof the user, wherein the at least one detector comprises: a near-fielddetector, wherein the near-field detector is in electrical communicationwith a flex circuit, and wherein the near-field detector is in opticalcommunication with the at least one emitter; and a far-field detector,wherein the far-field detector is in electrical communication with theflex circuit, and wherein the far-field detector is in opticalcommunication with the emitter; a flex circuit, wherein the flex circuitis electrically connected to the at least one emitter and the at leastone detector, the flex circuit configured to transmit one or moresignals to determine an oxygen saturation of the user; and a tape layer,wherein the tape layer is disposed over and adheres to the flex circuit,and wherein the tape layer attaches at least one sensor to the skin ofthe user.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one pair ofsensors further comprises: a sensor connector configured to physicallyattach and electrically connect to the flex circuit.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one emitter further comprises: a lens,wherein the lens is mechanically connected to the at least one emitter,and wherein the lens extends from the tape layer such that the lenspresses against the skin of the user to maximize an optical transmissionof the at least one emitter.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the atleast one emitter further comprises: an emitter temperature sensorconfigured to determine a temperature of the at least one emitter whilethe at least one emitter is transmitting light into the skin of theuser.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one detectorfurther comprises: a detector temperature sensor configured to determinea temperature of the at least one detector while the at least onedetector is receiving light reflected from the skin of the user.
 17. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the at least one detector further comprises:a lens, wherein the lens is mechanically connected to the at least onedetector, and wherein the lens extends from the tape layer such that thelens presses against the skin of the user to maximize an opticalreception of the at least one detector.
 18. The method of claim 12,wherein each sensor further comprises: a first lens, wherein the firstlens is mechanically connected to the near-field detector, and whereinthe first lens extends from the tape layer such that the first lenspresses against the skin of the user to maximize an optical reception ofthe near-field detector; a second lens, wherein the second lens ismechanically connected to the far-field detector, and wherein the firstlens extends from the tape layer such that the second lens pressesagainst the skin of the user to maximize the optical reception of thefar-field detector; and a third lens, wherein the third lens ismechanically connected to the at least one emitter, and wherein thethird lens extends from the tape layer such that the third lens pressesagainst the skin of the user to maximize an optical transmission of theat least one emitter.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the at leastone pair of sensors are configured to transmit a regional oximetryparameter of the user.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein thetransmitted regional oximetry parameter comprises at least one of anoxygen saturation, delta oxygen saturation, or regional oxygensaturation.